MINNEAPOLIS - There is a common thread that connects Minnesota Timberwolves draft picks Zach LaVine and Glenn Robinson III, and it has nothing to do with both being the sons of former professional athletes.

"We're extremely happy," said President and coach Flip Saunders. "They will add excitement to our team to our fans they will be fan favorites. They're our two highest jumping guys. I do know that."

Both of them are known as exceptional athletes, with the ability to run the floor and play above the rim. And those are just the kind of players the Timberwolves need for Ricky Rubio.

Rubio is the team's pass-first point guard who excels in the open court and loves to throw lob passes to teammates for dunks. But the Wolves had precious few of the players capable of running with him last year.

"We want to take that athleticism and turn them into basketball players and winning players, and with our team they'll have good success," Saunders said.

President and coach Flip Saunders says adding athleticism to the roster was one of the team's biggest priorities in the draft.

Controversy surrounding No. 13 pick, LaVine, swirled on social media after he was seen on television saying an explitive after he was selected by the Wolves.

LaVine said that wasn't the case and that he is excited to be in the NBA and in Minnesota.

"It's unfortunate that people got that view from it. I see it now and I shouldn't have done that. I cant handle the way I react after waiting 19 years for this. It was a rush of emotion, more disbelief than anything.

No doubt from Robinson and his excitement about being drafted.

"I'm a big believer in everything happens for a reason," Robinson said. "So i'm happy I ended up here, a team who needs some wing players excited to take advantage of this opportunity."

Both Robinson and LaVine have fathers who played professional sports. Paul LaVine played in the USFL and one season with the Seattle Seahawks. Glen Robinson, Jr. was the first overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft.